the shop owner that was going to install a reman motor in my 1991 dakota didn't like the idea of me getting a cheaper one than he could get (his reman 1800.00 mine 1200.00) and now doesn't sound very interested in doing the job even though his rate is $60.00/hr and he was going to charge me for 10-12hrs labor plus miscellaneous parts fluid etc... Now i have to go back and get it (tow bar) and try to finish it between work and school. he made me sound like an idiot when i said i got the motor for cheaper. i guess this is why we have a free market economy right???

 

A lot of shops don't like you to bring in your own parts because they make a huge markup on theirs. Its another way they make their money. But usually they will just charge a fee and void any kind of warrenty if you bring your parts, not tell you they won't do it. There must be more than one shop in town though.

 

I live in a town of 700 and I took it to that shop (15-17miles away)because my nephew works there, hes in high school. The shop owner originally was going to get my engine rebuilt for around 1600 installed and rebuilt, for just rebore new pistons and rings and having a machine shop do the minimum. Then when i got the truck there he really insisted that I go the reman option and i thought about it and decided to go with it so i shopped around. Found one for 1200 with a year warrenty and its on its way. Hes already getting 60/hr and the shop arcoss the street from me charges 40/hr. Should have went with him. But my sister and nephew insisted that he was a great mechanic, i guess they didnt say he was much of a businessman

 

should have done it myself since i do have a cherry picker.... grrr time managment

 

What do you mean by a "remain" motor? Is there warranty with that? Arent we talking about a truck thats worth less than $2500 in running condition? I got a perfect running, great condition, "plug n play" 318 with only 45,000 miles on it for under $450. There is less than $100 in materials associated with a motor swap like this.
I did save and do it my self, but with that said, I have NEVER tackled a job anywhere NEAR this large before and it worked out great. Took me much more that 10 hours, but I would say I could do it again in less than that now that I know what Im doing.

I always have a hard time justfying sticking $2000+ into a vehicle when its only worth $2000-$2500 when its all said and done.

Not trying to be a bummer, just giving my .02

 

Its only worth what its worth to you. Id rather spend 2000 grand I have on a truck thats paid off then spend another 3000+ to get a new truck I have to make payments on, and probably repairs while Im still making payments. Besides....dropping 2000 into a truck I KNOW whats wrong with beats spending a ton on something I only know from a 10 minute test drive.

Rant off, Id never pulled a motor before either....well sorta. I pulled the one out of my parts dodge in around 2 hours. There was some judicious use of a grinder in there....but all was well.

And personally Id rather spend the time and do it myself than spend a bunch more money. 10 hours of my time or 600 dollars of my money isnt really a question.

 

I agree with skyshark. Lol, I don't care what the blue book value of my truck is, I wouldn't sell it for a penny less than $5000 cause thats probably about what I have in it. But the point of saying that is, I won't sell it, so the money I put in it was worth it to me.

If he was going to turn around and sell the truck then yes, I would say it would be a dumb idea, but like skyshark said, its either a new truck or this one, so why not spend the money on something you already know.